[SET]
Defensive Pivot
Qwilfish @ Rocky Helmet / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Ground
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Flip Turn
- Barb Barrage
- Spikes
- Taunt / Pain Split / Toxic / Thunder Wave
[SET COMMENTS]
As one of the most splashable Pokemon in ZU, Qwilfish threatens to deter physical wallbreakers with Intimidate, making it a premier Spikes setter with the longevity to set multiple layers up. Furthermore, by Terastallizing into a Ground-type, Qwilfish can surprise Electric-type foes, including Hisuian Electrode and Jolteon. Flip Turn hits prominent Pokemon like Sandaconda, Oricorio, and Rhydon for super effective damage while allowing a teammate to switch in. Barb Barrage may hit Pokemon such as Hisuian Decidueye and Virizion for super effective damage, but switch-ins also dislike this move due to the poison chance. It can run a variety of moves for its fourth moveslot, but Taunt's capability of shutting down utility moves such as Recover and Defog make it the most preferable. Nevertheless, Pain Split is a valid alternative if one wants a semi-recovery option to increase its longevity, which is especially valuable against foes with high HP like Snorlax and Dudunsparce. Toxic and Thunder Wave are also good options to more reliably inflict status. Rocky Helmet's chip damage makes Qwilfish a fantastic punisher of spammable contact moves like U-turn and Knock Off, but Heavy-Duty Boots greatly helps Qwilfish's longevity.
Qwilfish's versatility makes it a seamless fit onto many team styles, but balance and bulky offense teams especially love its entry hazard setting and defensive pivoting. By chipping down foes with its STAB combination while laying down layers of Spikes, late-game cleaners like Passimian, Hisuian Electrode, and Mesprit can more easily take down worn out opponents. These threats also boast the ability to pivot, creating VoltTurn cores that bolster offensive pressure. By pivoting with Flip Turn, Qwilfish can safely bring in frail attackers like Jolteon, Dodrio, and Typhlosion, which can all wreak havoc when they're given the chance to enter the field healthy. Ghost-types like Oricorio-G and Mismagius are especially nice partners, since they provide an immunity to Rapid Spin to keep Spikes on the field. Grass-types like Hisuian Decidueye, Virizion, and Whimsicott also provide type synergy with Qwilfish, as their offensive and defensive strengths are bolstered by Qwilfish's overall utility. Qwilfish's defensive profile also makes life easier for bulky partners like Snorlax and Articuno, as Qwilfish can switch into threatening Fighting-types like Passimian, Hisuian Decidueye, and Hitmonchan. In return, those walls can more easily take on the special attacks that may scare Qwilfish out. Other defensive Pokemon like Sandaconda and Palossand can reinforce a team's physical backbone while also being immune to Volt Switch users that threaten to OHKO Qwilfish.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Qwilfish can Terastallize into a Ghost-type to block Rapid Spin attempts, but this makes it significantly weaker against Pokémon like Oricorio-G and Hisuian Qwilfish. Defensive Qwilfish sets can run Leftovers to heal gradually throughout a game, but this recovery is often mitigated by having to switch into entry hazards multiple times per game. Qwilfish can strengthen its offensive potential by equipping a Choice Band, unleashing strong Aqua Jets and Flip Turns while still switching into a variety of physical attacks. However, the raw power of an alternative Choice Band Water-type like Bruxish makes Qwilfish outclassed in this role.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: Strong Psychic-type attackers in ZU, including Mesprit, Bruxish, and Indeedee-F, can threaten to outspeed and knock out Qwilfish. While these Pokemon don't love switching in against Qwilfish, they can afford to take a hit and deal massive damage in return.
**Electric-types**: Although their low bulk makes them struggle to switch into Qwilfish's attacks, Electric-type pivots like Jolteon, Hisuian Electrode, and Morpeko can outspeed and threaten an OHKO on Qwilfish. This can sometimes force opponents to use Terastallization on Qwilfish, limiting their offensive resources late-game. There additionally are Electric-type attackers with strong defensive profiles, such as Magneton and Vikavolt, that can switch into Qwilfish effectively.
**Ground-type attacks**: Qwilfish's Water-type STAB attacks may threaten out many Ground-types, but strong Ground-type attackers like Sandaconda, Palossand, and Sandslash can retaliate with super effective damage of their own. Many wallbreakers also pack Ground-type attacks that can heavily chip a Qwilfish looking to switch in, including Passimian, Glastrier, and Charizard.
**Special Attackers**: Due to its lack of Special Defense, Qwilfish struggles to handle hits from special wallbreakers like Rotom, Mismagius, and Clawitzer. On the other hand, setup sweepers like Oricorio-G, Frosmoth, and Dudunsparce can set up in its face, although they don't enjoy getting poisoned.
**Entry Hazards**: While Qwilfish can feel like a defensive stalwart, its lack of reliable recovery makes it especially prone to Stealth Rock and Spikes. If setters like Palossand, Orthworm, and Regirock can keep hazards on the field, Qwilfish can later get overwhelmed by wallbreakers it would normally check efficiently.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/viet-noa.528055/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Defensive Pivot
Qwilfish @ Rocky Helmet / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Ground
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Flip Turn
- Barb Barrage
- Spikes
- Taunt / Pain Split / Toxic / Thunder Wave
[SET COMMENTS]
As one of the most splashable Pokemon in ZU, Qwilfish threatens to deter physical wallbreakers with Intimidate, making it a premier Spikes setter with the longevity to set multiple layers up. Furthermore, by Terastallizing into a Ground-type, Qwilfish can surprise Electric-type foes, including Hisuian Electrode and Jolteon. Flip Turn hits prominent Pokemon like Sandaconda, Oricorio, and Rhydon for super effective damage while allowing a teammate to switch in. Barb Barrage may hit Pokemon such as Hisuian Decidueye and Virizion for super effective damage, but switch-ins also dislike this move due to the poison chance. It can run a variety of moves for its fourth moveslot, but Taunt's capability of shutting down utility moves such as Recover and Defog make it the most preferable. Nevertheless, Pain Split is a valid alternative if one wants a semi-recovery option to increase its longevity, which is especially valuable against foes with high HP like Snorlax and Dudunsparce. Toxic and Thunder Wave are also good options to more reliably inflict status. Rocky Helmet's chip damage makes Qwilfish a fantastic punisher of spammable contact moves like U-turn and Knock Off, but Heavy-Duty Boots greatly helps Qwilfish's longevity.
Qwilfish's versatility makes it a seamless fit onto many team styles, but balance and bulky offense teams especially love its entry hazard setting and defensive pivoting. By chipping down foes with its STAB combination while laying down layers of Spikes, late-game cleaners like Passimian, Hisuian Electrode, and Mesprit can more easily take down worn out opponents. These threats also boast the ability to pivot, creating VoltTurn cores that bolster offensive pressure. By pivoting with Flip Turn, Qwilfish can safely bring in frail attackers like Jolteon, Dodrio, and Typhlosion, which can all wreak havoc when they're given the chance to enter the field healthy. Ghost-types like Oricorio-G and Mismagius are especially nice partners, since they provide an immunity to Rapid Spin to keep Spikes on the field. Grass-types like Hisuian Decidueye, Virizion, and Whimsicott also provide type synergy with Qwilfish, as their offensive and defensive strengths are bolstered by Qwilfish's overall utility. Qwilfish's defensive profile also makes life easier for bulky partners like Snorlax and Articuno, as Qwilfish can switch into threatening Fighting-types like Passimian, Hisuian Decidueye, and Hitmonchan. In return, those walls can more easily take on the special attacks that may scare Qwilfish out. Other defensive Pokemon like Sandaconda and Palossand can reinforce a team's physical backbone while also being immune to Volt Switch users that threaten to OHKO Qwilfish.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Qwilfish can Terastallize into a Ghost-type to block Rapid Spin attempts, but this makes it significantly weaker against Pokémon like Oricorio-G and Hisuian Qwilfish. Defensive Qwilfish sets can run Leftovers to heal gradually throughout a game, but this recovery is often mitigated by having to switch into entry hazards multiple times per game. Qwilfish can strengthen its offensive potential by equipping a Choice Band, unleashing strong Aqua Jets and Flip Turns while still switching into a variety of physical attacks. However, the raw power of an alternative Choice Band Water-type like Bruxish makes Qwilfish outclassed in this role.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: Strong Psychic-type attackers in ZU, including Mesprit, Bruxish, and Indeedee-F, can threaten to outspeed and knock out Qwilfish. While these Pokemon don't love switching in against Qwilfish, they can afford to take a hit and deal massive damage in return.
**Electric-types**: Although their low bulk makes them struggle to switch into Qwilfish's attacks, Electric-type pivots like Jolteon, Hisuian Electrode, and Morpeko can outspeed and threaten an OHKO on Qwilfish. This can sometimes force opponents to use Terastallization on Qwilfish, limiting their offensive resources late-game. There additionally are Electric-type attackers with strong defensive profiles, such as Magneton and Vikavolt, that can switch into Qwilfish effectively.
**Ground-type attacks**: Qwilfish's Water-type STAB attacks may threaten out many Ground-types, but strong Ground-type attackers like Sandaconda, Palossand, and Sandslash can retaliate with super effective damage of their own. Many wallbreakers also pack Ground-type attacks that can heavily chip a Qwilfish looking to switch in, including Passimian, Glastrier, and Charizard.
**Special Attackers**: Due to its lack of Special Defense, Qwilfish struggles to handle hits from special wallbreakers like Rotom, Mismagius, and Clawitzer. On the other hand, setup sweepers like Oricorio-G, Frosmoth, and Dudunsparce can set up in its face, although they don't enjoy getting poisoned.
**Entry Hazards**: While Qwilfish can feel like a defensive stalwart, its lack of reliable recovery makes it especially prone to Stealth Rock and Spikes. If setters like Palossand, Orthworm, and Regirock can keep hazards on the field, Qwilfish can later get overwhelmed by wallbreakers it would normally check efficiently.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/viet-noa.528055/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Last edited:
